Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-01
THE HAYMARKET.
Opposition to Widening j Street at the
Expense of the Pima

Expense OF the Plaza.
The widening of J. street, between Ninth
and Tenth, and the taking of a portion OF
the plaza for sidewalk, has caused con-
siderable discussion throughout the city and
meets with opposition upon every hand.
Many contend that the Trustees have no
power to widen street except by due pro-
cess Of law. Nine-tenths of the citizens
who have expressed an opinion upon the
subject protest againstit. A citizen and tax
payer sends US the following communica-
ton on the subject
EDS RECORD UNION understand there
IS movement ON foot to practically destroy
our handsome plaza and make of it hay
market, for the benefit of a few ranchmen.
Now, while it is a good business PROPOSE
ton for our citizens to encourage the pro-
ducers of the surrounding country to
market their products here, there is no ne
cessity whatever for them to destroy, or
even contract the limits of their plaza,
which has cost the taxpayers so much
money to bring to its present condition of
beauty and usefulness. The hay-sellers
will come to town anyhow, and wherever
they may establish their market-eround
there the buyers will go. Every stable
keeper that wants to buy load of hay has
horses and vehicles at his command, and it
would be no hardship on them to drive TO
the market, even though it were in the
outskirts of the city. There are plenty
Of vacant lots and half blocks that
OF hay-market without making
holy show of our chief thorough
fare. Go along street any day,
from Ninth to Tenth, and you will find a
string OF ranch teams tied on one side of
the Park, which they have turned into a
stable yard, and which is kept supplied
with all the Objectionable features of a
much-used stock corral. When the south
wind watts the odors of this stable ward
across the plaza the latter becomes any
thing but a desirable pleasure resort
especially for ladies and children. More
over, there is good ground for the suspicion
that this haymarket proposition springs
from desire on the part of few saloon
proprletors and others IN that neighbor-
hood to not only perpetuate but increase
the bonanza they have been enjoying. As
a citizen and taxpayer of the city, who has
no interest in livery stables or saloons, |
for one enter my solemn protest against
the deseeration of our dearly-bought Park
Tor the benefit of few non-residents. Y.
To this we add: The plaza is now 10
or y feet narrower than the range of
blocks in which it lies. 1t is one of the
most beautiful of lawns, and best of shaded
parks Those who remember il as a hoe
in the ground where circus managers
pitched their tents, appreciate most its
present charming aspect, and the wisdom
of the expenditure that made it what it is.
1t is source of pleasure to strangers who
visit the city, who always speak of its
beau Y and the good taste of the city in
maintaining it. Along its south side, but
kept at a distance of 16 feet by the side
walk a railing and a row ot evergreen
trees two feet outside, hay and wood SELL
ers have for years used the extra width of
the street as market. A market place
must of course be provided. II is proposed
now to abandon the sidewalk on the south,
and construct stonewalk inside the pres
ent fence, eight feet wide. The fence will
then be removed and the new curb be put
Just outside the inner row of trees. Thus
the park will be practically narrowed u
feet or more, and the market men can
drive to its edge, some II feet further in
ward than now, the row of evergreen
trees to be cut down to permit
it. Instead of making the park smaller, it
ought to be brought out to the line of the
street and enlarged. No city wisely gov
eTleu lesSeuS us lawn ana park spaces
Most of them endeavor to enlarge them.
They are the lungs of city," The city
can far better afford to secure a vacant lot
for market place. To make the street
wider, the row of evergreen trees must be
cut down. If they are lett in the street
there will be no gain of width for the
market. The inner row of trees are not
evergreens but in the rainy season are bare
of foliage. Under the new plan the wood and
hay dealers driving to the edge of the new
walk will be more exposed to park view
than now, when two rows of trees and a
sidewalk keep the litter away. A beauti.
full park, surrounded by stone walks. with
no fences, as is properly proposed, but with
low curbing only, Will present a strange
and offensive view with one entire side
walk given up for a hay and wood market
1t will be an offense to good taste, strange
commentary on our ideas Of what a public
lawn should be, and a most awkward and
incongruous mixture of wholly dissimilar
elements-a park and a stable yard Let
the Trustees be wise and change their plans.
There is a serious question as to the law
tulness of widening street by indirection,
and that is what is now being dore for
work has commenced under the objec ion
able plan.